Matt Cameron has addressed his exit from Pearl Jam, and given an update on a new Soundgarden album featuring vocals from the late Chris Cornell.
The drummer confirmed that he had departed the group after 27 years this summer. He thanked his former bandmates for “the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter”.
Cameron also expressed his gratitude for “the crew, staff and fans the world over”, adding: “It’s been an incredible journey. More to follow. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Following speculation that he had retired from music altogether, Cameron, 62, later confirmed his career status: “Thank you for the kind words of support and for the record, I’m still an active musician.”
Now, the drummer has spoken about his reason for leaving Pearl Jam during an interview with Billboard.
“I was having some issues with [Pearl Jam’s] three-hour shows and constant touring and stuff,” he told the outlet. “That’s definitely an art form unto itself, to be able to do those types of shows… I’m at a point now where I want to do a face-melting 70-minute set, and that’s kind of what I’m focusing on right now.”
He explained that his departure was amicable, adding: “I definitely gave them a lot of notice. I’ve spoken with Jeff [Ament] and Stone [Gossard] a little bit… It’s been fine. Hopefully we’ll get back together at some point and have a beer or something.”
Cameron also gave an update on the final album from Soundgarden, which bassist Ben Shepherd spoke about earlier this year.
“There’s not a set release date or anything as of yet,” Cameron said of the forthcoming project. “There were a couple schools of thought, like, ‘Hey, let’s put out a single’. I think eventually we decided we want to make sure the whole thing is completed before we start releasing singles. I’m excited for people to hear it.”
He continued: “We’re definitely over halfway done with it. Kim [Thayil, guitarist] is in the process of finishing his guitar parts; he wants to make sure they get exactly the way he wants them.”
Speaking about working on the LP – which will follow Soundgarden’s sixth album, 2012’s ‘King Animal’ – Cameron said: “Emotionally it’s been extreme highs and extreme lows.
“Hearing [Cornell’s] voice on these powerful hard rock songs is the most empowering thing in the world for me. Then I listen to his voice soloed up when I’m working on stuff, or if Kim or Ben is working on something, and it all comes back to the fact that he’s not with us and he left us in a way that has so many questions.
“It’s been gut-wrenching but at the same time very empowering.”
Additionally, Cameron is fronting a new band called Is This Real? and continuing to work with Thayil as part of 3rd Secret along with Nirvana‘s Krist Novoselic and more. He is hoping to take the latter group out on the road, per Billboard.
Pearl Jam have not yet announced their new drummer, and have no live shows scheduled at the time of writing.
Cameron is set to become a two-time inductee at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in November, when Soundgarden will be inducted during a ceremony in LA. He was inducted with Pearl Jam in 2017.
The surviving members of Soundgarden will perform live at this year’s event. Earlier this year, Thayil spoke about finding a vocalist to replace Cornell for the appearance: “It’s a high bar, not just technically, but emotionally.”
English (US) · 